DEAR ABBY: I have a friend I have known for a very long time. We bonded 10 years ago over common interests and mutual friends. Over the years, they have suffered from anxiety, depression, and OCD. In addition, they are also narcissistic, but it has never been a problem before. I have spent many a … Read more
Genius anxiety hack or just a hack that should be sacked? Some 19% of adults have an anxiety disorder, with Gen Zers notably packing panic pouches to calm themselves down. Those struggling with anxiety are reaching for any relief they can find — even if it means testing their own solutions. An over-the-counter one-two punch … Read more
Feeling lonely may take a toll on older adults’ memory — but it may not speed up cognitive decline, according to a new study. Researchers from Colombia, Spain and Sweden analyzed data from more than 10,000 adults ages 65 to 94 across 12 European countries and found those who reported higher levels of loneliness did … Read more
If spring has sprung you into an emotional black hole, listen up. Germans have a word for the general sense of malaise that can, however ironically, accompany the start of a season known for rebirth and vitality. Frühlingsmüdigkeit — “springtime tiredness” or “springtime lethargy” — is a well-known phenomenon among German speakers who claim spring … Read more
After a punishing winter of arctic temperatures and a record-breaking blizzard, most of us are ready to shed our outer layers — and soak up the sun’s rays. Not Sophia Marren. Day drinking on the patio with pals? Not for her. Beach plans on a sun-drenched Saturday? No thanks. Sophia Marren isn’t a fan of summer … Read more
After ages of being dismissed as “baby blues,” postpartum depression, anxiety and even psychosis are finally being taken seriously. But while moms are dealing with massive hormonal changes on top of stress and sleep deprivation, dads’ mental health can also face challenges. And a new study published in JAMA Network Open found that fathers’ risk for … Read more
A little green might not be a cure for the blues. New research suggests medical marijuana isn’t the mental health miracle many hope for, finding little evidence that it can effectively treat conditions like anxiety, depression or PTSD. “In the absence of robust medical or counselling support, the use of medicinal cannabis in these cases … Read more
Hit your 40s and suddenly find yourself seeing red over slow walkers, dishes in the sink or even your partner’s breathing? Blame it on the change. “It is not just ‘being moody,’ and it is not a personality flaw,” Dr. Michelle Sands, a licensed naturopathic physician who specializes in women’s hormone health, told The Post. … Read more
Getting high, but feeling low. Science is split on whether the effects of cannabis are good or bad, with recent research showing it could boost brain power in older adults, while other studies show the purported benefits go up in smoke. But a new study has found a growing connection between cannabis use and detrimental … Read more
Modern science is just catching up to what folk and traditional healers have known since Homeric times. While lab-developed pharmaceuticals can help manage anxiety, you might also want to check your local botanical garden. Native to parts of Europe and Asia, valerian root has a long-established history as a sedative, with records of its use … Read more
It’s become common to talk about and SSRIs (short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a class of antidepressants) the way people talk about supplements: a passing mention, a joke in a group chat, a “same” under a TikTok about Lexapro, even a line tucked into a dating profile bio. For many young women, the cultural … Read more
It’s a growing problem that’s long been overlooked. For decades, body image issues have been pegged as primarily a female struggle, with one study finding that 53% of American girls are “unhappy with their bodies” by age 13. Now, experts say the epidemic is increasingly reaching boys and young men — and while their female … Read more
Moms, get pumped for this news. Childbirth brings a plethora of exhausting new responsibilities — but some can affect your health in a good way. New research finds that one task in particular may reduce the likelihood that new moms will experience anxiety and depression later in life. A new study finds that one specific … Read more
You’re not going to want to sit down for this. A new study suggests that a single habit is better for the brain than previously thought — and can treat symptoms of depression as effectively as medication and talk therapy. The CDC estimates that the prevalence of depression in U.S. adolescents and adults increased 60% … Read more
Bust a move. Whether you tear up the dance floor or have moves like Elaine from “Seinfeld”, dancing can bring about more than just joy. New research shows the social activity can even protect against four diseases, one of which the number of cases is predicted to skyrocket in the coming years. Dancing has been … Read more
It might just be the saddest day of the year. The wrapping paper is in the trash, the leftovers are packed away, and the last houseguest has hit the road. Christmas — and all the joyful chaos that comes with it — has officially come to an end. And if you’re feeling a bit blue … Read more
Long live bacteria! You’ve surely heard of probiotics, which can help maintain a healthy gut for better digestion, nutrient absorption and immune support. But a budding class of probiotics called “psychobiotics” is being touted for mental health benefits, too, with promises of improving mood, cognition and anxiety — without medication. Psychobiotics are a type of … Read more
We’ve long known of the link between depression and dementia. Now, a new study pinpoints six depressive symptoms in middle age that can predict dementia more than two decades later. Dementia diagnoses are projected to skyrocket in the coming years, with new cases expected to reach 1 million per year by 2060 if significant intervention isn’t taken. … Read more
Australia is pulling the plug on its teens’ social media habits. The country enacted the world’s first ban on social media for children under 16 this week, threatening tech giants with multi-million-dollar fines if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to kick underage users off their platforms. Officials say the crackdown targets the site’s “design … Read more
“Mad Men” star January Jones, 47, has revealed her lifelong struggle with misophonia, a disorder characterized by an extreme sensitivity to sound that can disrupt daily life and social interactions. In an Instagram video posted Thursday, Jones said, “I’d like to talk about something that I’ve been struggling with my whole life, which is called misophonia. My … Read more